Tote association

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes a system for associating multiple totes with a single profile so that items placed into any of the multiple totes are identified on a profile item identifier list. For example, if two users located in a materials handling facility are picking items that are to be consolidated or otherwise treated together, each user may select a different tote and move separately through the materials handling facility. As either user picks items and places those items into a corresponding tote, a profile item identifier list is updated to include an item identifier for each picked item.

BACKGROUND

Retailers, wholesalers, and other product distributors typicallymaintain an inventory of various items that may be ordered, purchased,leased, borrowed, rented, viewed, etc., by clients or customers. Forexample, an e-commerce website may maintain inventory in a fulfillmentcenter. When a customer orders an item, the item is picked frominventory, routed to a packing station, packed and shipped to thecustomer. Likewise, physical stores maintain inventory in customeraccessible areas (e.g., shopping area) and customers can pick items frominventory and take them to a cashier for purchase, rental, etc. Many ofthose physical stores also maintain inventory in a storage area, orfulfillment centers, that can be used to replenish inventory located inthe shopping area and/or to satisfy orders for items that are placedthrough other channels (e.g., e-commerce). Other examples of entitiesthat maintain inventory include libraries, museums, rental centers, andthe like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items or features.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a materials handling facility,according to some implementations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating additional details of a materialshandling facility, according to some implementations.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5 illustrate example tote configurations, accordingto some implementations.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example connected tote configuration, according tosome implementations.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example connected tote configuration, according tosome implementations.

FIG. 8 illustrates example functional components of a tote, such asthose illustrated in FIGS. 3A-7, according to some implementations.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of a tote association process, accordingto some implementations.

FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram of a process for updating item identifierlists in response to a place or a pick of an item into or out of a tote,according to some implementations.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an illustrative implementation of a serversystem that may be used with various implementations.

While implementations are described herein by way of example, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the implementations are notlimited to the examples or drawings described. It should be understoodthat the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended tolimit implementations to the particular form disclosed but, on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by theappended claims. The headings used herein are for organizationalpurposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of thedescription or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word“may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potentialto), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly,the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but notlimited to.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes a system for associating or consolidatingmultiple totes with a single profile, such as a user profile. Forexample, an agent (also referred to herein as user) may pick items frominventory locations and place those items into a tote. If the totebecomes full, the user may select a second tote and continue pickingitems and placing those items into the second tote. The items in boththe second tote and the first tote may be associated with the user andpresented to the user in a profile item identifier list. The profileitem identifier list may identify all items associated with the user,the user's profile and/or totes associated with the user.

In other implementations, multiple users may be picking items that areto be consolidated or otherwise treated together. For example, an orderfor multiple items may be received and assigned to two different usersfor picking. Each of the two users may select a different tote for usein placing items as they are picked. The selected totes are associatedwith a single profile and, as each user picks items and places thoseitems into a respective tote, a profile item identifier list is updatedto include an item identifier representative of the items placed intothe two totes. The profile item identifier list may also be presented toeach of the users to identify the total items picked by both users.Likewise, a user may view a tote item identifier list identifying justthe items in the tote associated with that user.

A user may pick an item from an inventory location and place the iteminto a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it isplaced into the tote. Likewise, when an item is removed from the tote,the removal of that item is detected.

In some implementations, the tote may include an item identifier reader,such as a radio frequency identifier (“RFID”) reader, and a receivingcomponent, such as one or more antennas that read an item identifier(e.g., RFID) when the item is placed in and/or removed from the tote.The item identifier reader and receiving component may be part of thetote and in communication with a processor that adds or removes itemidentifiers from a tote identification list as the items are added orremoved from the tote.

In other implementations, the tote may include one or more image capturedevices (e.g., cameras) that capture images of items as they are placedinto or removed from the tote. The images may be processed, for example,using an object detection algorithm, image matching algorithm, opticalcharacter recognition algorithm, etc., to determine the item that hasbeen placed into the tote or picked from the tote.

As an item is added to a tote and/or removed from the tote, an itemidentifier representative of the item may be added to a profile itemidentifier list and/or a tote item identifier list. A profile itemidentifier list identifies all items currently located in totesassociated with a profile. For example, if there are multiple totesassociated with a single profile, and each tote includes one or moreitems, all items included in the multiple totes are identified in theprofile item identifier list. Likewise, a tote item identifier list maybe maintained for each tote that identifies the items included in thatrespective tote.

The profile item identifier list and/or the tote item identifier listmay be provided to a user for display. For example, while the user islocated in the materials handling facility, they may be able to view theprofile item identifier list and/or the tote item identifier list. Inone implementation, a tote may include an output device (e.g., display)that is configured to present to the user the profile item identifierlist and/or the tote item identifier list.

As used herein, a materials handling facility may include, but is notlimited to, warehouses, distribution centers, cross-docking facilities,order fulfillment facilities, packaging facilities, shipping facilities,rental facilities, libraries, retail stores, wholesale stores, museums,or other facilities or combinations of facilities for performing one ormore functions of material (inventory) handling.

An implementation of a materials handling facility configured to storeand manage inventory items is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, amaterials handling facility 100 includes a receiving area 120, a storagearea 130 configured to store an arbitrary number of inventory items135A-135N, and one or more transition areas 140. The arrangement of thevarious areas within materials handling facility 100 is depictedfunctionally rather than schematically. For example, in someimplementations, multiple different receiving areas 120, storage areas130 and transition areas 140 may be interspersed rather than segregated.Additionally, the materials handling facility 100 includes an inventorymanagement system 150 configured to interact with each of receiving area120, storage area 130 and transition area 140.

The materials handling facility 100 may be configured to receivedifferent kinds of inventory items 135 from various suppliers and tostore them until a customer orders or retrieves one or more of theitems. The general flow of items through materials handling facility 100is indicated using arrows. Specifically, as illustrated in this example,items 135 may be received from one or more suppliers, such asmanufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, etc., at receiving area 120.In various implementations, items 135 may include merchandise,commodities, perishables, or any suitable type of item depending on thenature of the enterprise that operates the materials handling facility100.

Upon being received from a supplier at receiving area 120, items 135 maybe prepared for storage. For example, in some implementations, items 135may be unpacked or otherwise rearranged, and the inventory managementsystem 150 (which, as described below, may include one or more softwareapplications executing on a computer system) may be updated to reflectthe type, quantity, condition, cost, location or any other suitableparameters with respect to newly received items 135. It is noted thatitems 135 may be stocked, managed or dispensed in terms of countable,individual units or multiples of units, such as packages, cartons,crates, pallets or other suitable aggregations. Alternatively, someitems 135, such as bulk products, commodities, etc., may be stored incontinuous or arbitrarily divisible amounts that may not be inherentlyorganized into countable units. Such items 135 may be managed in termsof measurable quantities such as units of length, area, volume, weight,time duration or other dimensional properties characterized by units ofmeasurement. Generally speaking, a quantity of an item 135 may refer toeither a countable number of individual or aggregate units of an item135 or a measurable amount of an item 135, as appropriate.

After arriving through receiving area 120, items 135 may be storedwithin storage area 130. In some implementations, like items 135 may bestored or displayed together in bins, on shelves or via other suitablestorage mechanisms, such that all items 135 of a given kind are storedin one location. In other implementations, like items 135 may be storedin different locations. For example, to optimize retrieval of certainitems 135 having high turnover within a large physical facility, thoseitems 135 may be stored in several different locations to reducecongestion that might occur at a single point of storage.

When a customer order specifying one or more of items 135 is received,or as a user progresses through the materials handling facility 100, thecorresponding items 135 may be selected or “picked” from storage area130. In various implementations, item picking may range from manual tocompletely automated picking. For example, in one implementation, a usermay have a list of items they desire and may progress through thematerials handling facility picking items 135 from the storage area 130and placing those items 135 into a tote. In other implementations,materials handling facility employees may pick items 135 using writtenor electronic pick lists derived from customer orders and place pickeditems into a tote as the materials handling facility agent progressesthrough the materials handling facility 100.

As discussed in more detail below, as items are picked and placed in atote, the tote may be configured to identify the items placed in thetote and manage a tote item identifier list that includes an identifierof each item. After items 135 have been picked and placed in a tote,they may be processed at transition area 140. A transition area may beany designated area within a materials handling facility where itemsincluded in the tote are transitioned from one location to another, orfrom one entity to another. For example, the transition area may be apacking station within the materials handling and, when the tote arrivesat the packing station (transition area), the items may be transitionedfrom the storage area 130 to the packing station. Such information maybe maintained by the inventory management system 150 to enable accuratetracking of items. In another example, if the items are departing thematerials handling facility (e.g., a carrier is taking the items fortransport, a customer is purchasing or renting the items), when the totereaches the transition area, the tote item identifier list is obtainedand the items are transitioned from the materials handling facility tothe new entity (e.g., carrier, customer).

To further illustrate, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of additional detailsof a storage area 230 within a materials handling facility, according tosome implementations. A materials handling facility agent, customer, orother individual (generally referred to herein as a user) may select andutilize one or more totes 202 to progress through a materials handlingfacility 100 to pick items from inventory locations 232. In thisexample, there are two associated users 203A and 203B that are pickingitems into different totes. For example, the two users 203A, 203B mayidentify that they are picking items for a same profile or a same picklist. When each user 203 picks a tote, the tote is determined andassociated with a profile (also referred to herein as a primaryprofile). Multiple users and/or multiple totes may be associated withthe same profile and items added/removed from a tote may beadded/removed from a profile item identifier list.

In this example, the first user 203A has selected a first tote 202A, andthe second user 203B has selected a second tote 202B and a third tote202C. The second tote 202B and the third tote 202C are coupled together(discussed below). Both users 203 and all three totes are associatedwith a single profile and a profile item identifier list 205 isestablished that will identify all items included in any of the threetotes 202A-202C or picked by either of the users 203A, 203B. Likewise, afirst tote item identifier list 207 may be established that isconfigured to identify all items located in the first tote 202A. Asecond tote item identifier list 209 may also be established that isconfigured to identify all items included in either of second tote 202Bor the third tote 202C. The profile item identifier list and/or the toteitem identifier list(s) may be maintained by the tote(s) and/ormaintained by the inventory management system 150. For example, a totemay detect an item located in the tote, provide item information to theinventory management system 150 and the inventory management system mayupdate the profile item identifier list 205 and corresponding tote itemidentifier list 207. The profile item identifier list and tote itemidentifier list(s) may be maintained by the inventory management system150 in an item identifier list data store 218 and sent to output devicesfor display or presentation to the user.

As items are picked and placed into the tote, an item identifier (e.g.,RFID) located on the item is detected and added to a profile itemidentifier list that identifies the items included in the tote 202. Insome implementations, as discussed further below, the tote 202 mayinclude an item identifier reader, such as an RFID reader, and areceiving component, such as one or more antennas that periodically orcontinuously scan the inside of the tote for item identifiers.Generally, the item identifier reader and/or the receiving component mayutilize one or more wireless technologies (e.g., RFID, near fieldcommunication (“NFC”), Bluetooth, infrared) to detect item identifiers.When an item identifier is detected, a processor located on the tote 202may receive the item identifier and record the item identifier in thetote item identifier list and/or the profile item identifier list whichis maintained in a memory located on the tote 202 or maintained by theinventory management system 150. Example implementations of the tote 202are provided below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3A-5. In otherimplementations, one or more input components, such as cameras 211, maycapture images of items as they are picked by the user from an inventorylocation 232 and/or as the items are placed into a tote 202. The imagesmay be processed to identify the item and a corresponding itemidentifier may be added to the profile item identifier list and/or thetote item identifier list. For example, one or more algorithms, such asan edge detection algorithm, grey scale processing algorithm, objectdetection algorithm, optical character recognition algorithm, etc., maybe used to process and identify the item represented in the image.

In still other implementations, the shelves of the inventory locations232 may include one or more sensors (e.g., scales, load cells, weightsensors) that detect a change in a weight at the shelf. When a weightdecrease is detected, it may be determined that an item has been pickedfrom the inventory location. Location information may be provided to theinventory management system 150 and the item corresponding to thelocation of the weight change may be determined based on the informationmaintained in the inventory data store 214.

In some instances, the tote 202 may operate in conjunction with or mayotherwise utilize or communicate with one or more components of theinventory management system 150. Likewise, components of the inventorymanagement system 150 may interact and communicate with the tote 202 aswell as identify the user(s) that is utilizing the tote 202 and/orcommunicate with other components of the materials handling facility100.

Generally, the inventory management system 150 may include one or morecommunication devices, such as wireless antennas 204, that facilitatewireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth) between theinventory management system 150 and the tote 202. The inventorymanagement system 150 may also include one or more server systems 102that may be local to the materials handling facility 100, remote fromthe materials handling facility 100, or any combination thereof.

The inventory management system 150 may utilize antennas 204 within thematerials handling facility 100 to create a local wireless network(e.g., Wi-Fi) so that the tote 202 can connect to and communicate withthe inventory management system 150 and/or other totes 202. Likewise, ininstances when one or more of the components of the inventory managementsystem 150 are remote from the materials handling facility 100, they maycommunicate with other components of the inventory management system 150and/or the tote 202 via a network.

In some implementations, the tote 202 may be provided to the user (e.g.,materials handling facility agent) when the user arrives at thematerials handling facility 100. In such an instance, the user mayidentify themself to the inventory management system 150 and the tote202 may be associated with the user and/or user's profile by associatinga unique identifier of the tote 202 with the identified user/useraccount. Likewise, the user may pick multiple totes, all of which may beassociated with the user's profile. In some implementations, multipletotes may be selected when the user arrives at the materials handlingand the totes optionally connected or coupled together. In otherimplementations, a user may select additional totes while in thematerials handling facility. For example, a user may fill a first toteand select a second tote. Both totes may be associated with the sameprofile and items included in either tote identified on a single profileitem identifier list.

In still other implementations, multiple users may be associated withthe same profile such that items picked by those users may be added tothe same profile item identifier list. For example, a first user and asecond user may both arrive, the first user may identify themselves tothe inventory management system 150 and identify that the second user isto be associated with the profile of the first user. This may be apermanent association or an association for a defined period (e.g.,during the visit to the materials handling facility).

In still another implementation, two or more totes may be associatedwith the same profile at different times. For example, a first tote maybe associated with a first user located in the materials handlingfacility and a second tote associated with a second user located in thematerials handling facility. While in the materials handling facility,the two users may select to connect or combine their totes. In such anexample, items identified on the tote item identifier list for one ofthe totes (e.g., the second tote) may be combined with a profileassociated with the other tote (e.g., the first tote) and a profile itemidentifier list updated to include item identifiers for items containedin either tote.

When the user leaves the tote(s) 202, such as at the end of a work day,the association between the tote 202 and the user may be removed so thatthe tote 202 can be reissued to another user when he/she arrives at thematerials handling facility 100.

The following is an example use case that includes two users 203A, 203Band three totes 202A, 202B, 202C. In this example, both users 203A, 203Bare materials handling facility employees (e.g., picking agent) thathave badges or other identifiers that can be used to identify the users.

The two users are identified and designated to pick items that are to beconsolidated or otherwise treated together. Both users are associatedwith a profile, such as user A's profile. Each user 203A, 203B may beidentified by the inventory management system 150 via a wireless networkand an antenna 204 accessible within the materials handling facility100. When the first user 203A selects a tote 202A, the tote 202A isidentified by the inventory management system 150 and a uniqueidentifier representative of the tote 202 is associated with the profileand the first user 203A. Likewise, when the second user 203B selects atote 202B, the tote 202B is identified by the inventory managementsystem 150 and a unique identifier representative of the second tote202B is associated with the same profile and associated with the seconduser 203B. In this example, the second user 203B has also picked a thirdtote 202C. The third tote 202C is identified and a unique identifierrepresentative of the second tote is associated with the profile and thesecond user 203B. Likewise, the third tote 202C is associated with thesecond tote 202B. In this example, the totes may be physically coupledtogether and the second tote 202B becomes a master tote and the thirdtote 202C becomes a slave tote. As items are added to either tote 202B,202C, the information is provided to the second tote 202B and the secondtote provides the information to the inventory management system 150.

In addition to maintaining a profile item identifier list, tote itemidentifier lists may also be maintained by the inventory managementsystem and/or by the totes. For example, a first tote item identifierlist 207 is maintained by both the first tote 202A and the inventorymanagement system 150. The first user 203A, in this example, has pickedtwo items, Item D and Item E and placed those items into the tote 202A.The item identifiers are added to the first tote item identifier list207 and the profile item identifier list 205. For example, the firsttote 202A may update the first tote item identifier list 207 and providethe added item information to the inventory management system 150. Theinventory management system 150 may update the first tote itemidentifier list 207 maintained by the inventory management system andupdate the profile item identifier list 205. Upon updating the profileitem identifier list 205, the inventory management system 150 may sendfor display the profile item identifier list. The profile itemidentifier list may be sent for display on any output device, such as auser's output device, a portable device, a device coupled to the tote,an output device located in the materials handling facility, etc.

The second user 203B has picked three items, Item A, Item B, Item C andplaced those items in either tote 202B or 202C. Upon detection of theitems, the items are identified and the second tote item identifier list209 is updated by the second tote 202B and/or by the inventorymanagement system 150. Likewise, the profile item identifier list 205 isupdated to include the items located in the second tote 202B and thethird tote 202C. The updated profile item identifier list 205 is thensent for display. For example, the updated profile item identifier list205 may be sent by the inventory management system 150 to the first tote202A for display to the first user 203A.

Each time an item is added to a tote associated with the profile orremoved from a tote associated with the profile, the profile itemidentifier list is updated to reflect the addition/removal and thatupdated profile item identifier list may be provided to each of thecorresponding totes and/or users associated with the profile. Bymaintaining a single profile item identifier list for multiple totesand/or users, a complete list of all items included in the totesassociated with the profile is maintained and may be presented to theuser. Likewise, by maintaining a tote item identifier list, a list ofall items included in the respective tote or group of connected totesmay be presented to a user.

It will be appreciated that any number of analysis techniques may beutilized to assist in confirming that the items included in a tote 202correspond to those identified in a tote item identifier list and/orprofile item identifier list, and the ones illustrated herein areprovided only as examples.

As discussed above, the tote 202 may communicate with the inventorymanagement system 150 over a variety of communication paths. Generally,the inventory management system 150 may include any number andcombination of input components, output components and server system102. The input components may include imaging devices, microphones,antennas 204, or any other component that is capable of receiving inputabout the surrounding environment, from the tote 202 and/or from users.The output components may include projectors, displays, antennas 204,speakers and/or any other component that is capable of providing outputto its surrounding environment, the tote and/or users.

The inventory management system 150 may also include a server system102. The server system 102 may be local to the materials handlingfacility, remote from the materials handling facility, or anycombination thereof. Likewise, the server system 102 may be configuredto communicate over a network with the input components, outputcomponents and/or directly with the tote 202.

As illustrated, the inventory management system 150 is implemented onremote computing resources 110, which may include one or more servers102(1), 102(2), . . . , 102(N) and may, in some instances, form aportion of a network-accessible computing platform implemented as acomputing infrastructure of processors, storage, software, data access,and so forth that is maintained and accessible by components/devices ofthe inventory management system 150 and/or the tote 202 via a network,such as the Internet. The server system 102 does not require end-userknowledge of the physical location and configuration of the system thatdelivers the services. Common expressions associated for the remoteserver system 102 include “on-demand computing,” “software as a service(SaaS),” “platform computing,” “network-accessible platform,” “cloudservices,” “data centers,” and so forth.

The network (not shown) may utilize wired technologies (e.g., wires,USB, fiber optic cable, etc.), wireless technologies (e.g., RF, IR, NFC,cellular, satellite, Bluetooth, etc.), or other connection technologies.The network is representative of any type of communication network,including data and/or voice network, and may be implemented using wiredinfrastructure (e.g., cable, CATS, fiber optic cable, etc.), a wirelessinfrastructure (e.g., RF, cellular, microwave, satellite, Bluetooth,etc.), and/or other connection technologies.

The server system 102 may also include an inventory data store 214, auser profile data store 216, and an item identifier list data store 218.As discussed further below, the data stores may include lists, arrays,databases, and other data structures used to provide storage andretrieval of data. Likewise, while the disclosure describes multipledata stores, in some implementations, the data stores may be configuredas a single data store or multiple data stores.

The inventory data store 214 maintains information about items 135stored in the storage areas 130 of the materials handling facility 100.For example, the inventory data store 214 may store for each item, theitem's weight, dimensions, color, expiration date, volume, manufacturer,identifier (e.g., universal product identifier), quantity of items inthe storage area, description of the item, location within the materialshandling facility, etc.

The user profile data store 216 includes information about users, suchas materials handling facility employees, customers, etc. Any type ofinformation may be stored in the user profile data store 216. Forexample, user profile information, such as attributes, name, address,gender, purchase history, social networks, user associations, and/orfriends with which the user interacts, and the like may be stored in theuser profile data store 216. User profile information may be provideddirectly by users, such as when they become employed, collected fromusers when interacting with the inventory management system 150 and/ortotes 202, etc.

The item identifier list data store 218 may include tote item identifierlists for each tote or connected group of totes within the materialshandling facility 100 and/or profile item identifier lists. Likewise,the item identifier list data store 218 may include information abouteach tote, such as the unique identifier, the weight of the tote,dimensions of the tote, etc.

The inventory data store 214, user profile data store 216, and itemidentifier list data store 218 may be integrated with the server system102 or otherwise communicatively coupled with the server system 102. Forexample, one or more of the inventory data store 214, user profile datastore 216, and item identifier list data store 218 may be located at aremote computing resource 110 and communicatively coupled with theserver system 102. In some implementations, the inventory data store214, user profile data store 216, and item identifier list data store218 may include one or more CD-RW/DVD-RW drives, hard disk drives,solid-state drives, tape drives, or other storage devices that areutilized to store digital content and information. The server system102, separately or together with the inventory data store 214, userprofile data store 216 and item identifier list data store 218 mayprovide an inventory management system 150.

The organization and operation of the materials handling facility 100described above is given as an example. In other implementations, amaterials handling facility 100 may be arranged differently and operatedifferently than described above. For example, some implementations ofmaterials handling facility 100 may not have a dedicated receiving area120. In such implementations, received items may be placed directly intothe storage area 130. In general, the materials handling facility 100may employ any organization and operational flow for handling inventory.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, 5 illustrate example tote configurations, according tosome implementations. Turning first to FIG. 3A, the tote 302 may includea base surface 303 and a plurality of side surfaces 304, 306, 308, 310coupled to the base surface 303 and positioned to define a cavity intowhich items may be placed. In the examples described herein, the toteshave four side surfaces 304-310 that are coupled to the base surface 303to form a cavity having a cube shape. In other implementations,different configurations, numbers and shapes of the base surface 303 andside surfaces 304-310 may be utilized to form any variety, shapes andsizes of cavities. Likewise, the surfaces and/or base of the tote may beof any type of material and have any type of shape, texture and/or size.For example, the surfaces and/or base may be steel, mesh, plastic,metal, aluminum, etc. In some implementations, one or more of thesurfaces and/or base may be of different materials. Generally, the totemay be any structure into which one or more items may be placed and/orstored. For example, a tote may be a bag, bin, cart, package, box, bowl,etc.

The tote 302 may also include one or more rollers 312, 314, 316, 318 orwheels to assist a user in propelling the tote 302 through a materialshandling facility. Likewise, in some implementations, the tote 302 maybe motorized to assist in propulsion of the tote 302. In still otherimplementations, the tote 302 may not include rollers 312-318 butinstead may be carried by a user. For example, the tote 302 may beconfigured with one or more handles that enable the user to carry thetote 302 throughout the materials handling facility.

Regardless of the configuration, the tote 302 may include one or moreitem identifier readers and receiving components 320. For example, theitem identifier reader may be a RFID reader, such as a Motorola FX7400,a Motorola MC3190-Z, a Skyetek Module M10, and the like. Likewise, theantenna may be one or more directional antennas, such as a Laird S9025Pantenna.

The tote 302 may also include additional functional components 322, suchas a processor, computer-readable media, memory, power, etc. Examplefunctional components 322 of a tote are discussed further below withrespect to FIG. 8. The functional components may be in communicationwith the item identifier reader and receiving component 320 and providepower to the item identifier reader and receiving component 320. When anitem identifier is detected by the item identifier reader and receivingcomponent 320, it may be provided to the functional components 322 foradditional processing. For example, the functional components may addthe detected item identifier to a tote item identifier list and/or aprofile item identifier that is maintained in a memory of the functionalcomponents 322. In some implementations, the functional components 322may also provide the tote item identifier list, profile item identifierlist, and/or the received item identifiers individually to the inventorymanagement system 150 and/or to other totes.

The item identifier reader and receiving component 320 may be configuredto detect the presence of item identifiers located within the cavity ofthe tote 302, but not detect item identifiers not located in the cavityof the tote 302. For example, if the item identifier is a passive RFID,which receives power from the item identifier reader and receivingcomponent 320, the transmitted power and/or the receiving range of thereceiving component 320 may be adjusted such that it will only providepower to item identifiers located within the cavity of the tote 302. Forexample, the power of the item identifier reader and receiving component320 may be adjusted such that the radiated power only extends to theedges or sides of the tote 302. However, in some configurations, such asthat illustrated in FIG. 3A, if the tote 302 is not round shaped,portions of the radiation pattern will extend beyond the cavity of thetote, which could result in item identifiers not within the cavity ofthe tote 302 being detected.

To reduce the likelihood of detecting item identifiers not within thecavity of the tote 302, in some implementations, the sides 304-310 ofthe tote may include a radiation shield, such as aluminum, copper, orany other material that eliminates or reduces radio frequency radiation.The top down view 324 of the tote 302 illustrates the radiation patternfrom the item identifier reader and receiving component 320 when ashield is included on the sides of the tote 302. As illustrated, ratherthan the pattern propagating beyond the cavity of the tote 302, theshield included on the walls of the tote eliminates the radiation beyondthe sides of the tote 302 so that item identifiers not located in thecavity of the tote will not be detected.

In other implementations, rather than or in addition to includingshields on the sides of the tote, multiple antennas may be used with theitem identifier reader. For example, FIG. 3B is a block diagram of atote 302 with multiple receiving components 340, 342 located on the basesurface of the tote 302. By utilizing multiple receiving componentspositioned within the tote 302, the power radiated from each receivingcomponent can be reduced, yet the radiation pattern will still cover thecavity of the tote and detect item identifiers included in the cavity ofthe tote. Referring to the top-down view 344 of FIG. 3B, withoutshielding on the sides of the tote 302, with multiple receivingcomponents 340, 342, the amount of area beyond the tote 302 that iswithin the radiation of the receiving components 340, 342 is reduced,thereby reducing the likelihood of detecting item identifiers that arenot within the cavity of the tote 302. While the example illustrated inFIG. 3B utilizes two receiving components 340, 342, any number ofreceiving components may be utilized.

In addition to shielding the sides of the tote and/or utilizing multipleantennas, in some implementations, additional techniques may be used toreduce the likelihood of including items on the tote item identifierlist that are not in the cavity of the tote 302. For example, the itemidentifier reader may be configured to only scan for items while thetote 302 is in motion. In such an implementation, the functionalcomponents 322 may include an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass and/orother form of motion detection component and instruct the itemidentifier reader to only scan for item identifiers when the cart is inmotion. In such an implementation, the likelihood of detecting an itemidentifier that is not in the tote 302 as the tote passes by the itemidentifier is greatly reduced because the item identifier will onlypotentially be within range of the item identifier reader and receivingcomponent 320 for a brief instance. To further this implementation, itmay also be required that an item be detected for a certain period oftime (e.g., 5 seconds) before it is considered within the tote cavity.

In still other implementations, it may be required that an itemidentifier be detected multiple times before it is included in the toteitem identifier list. For example, if the item identifier reader andantenna periodically scan for item identifiers, each time an itemidentifier is detected, a count of the number of detections ismaintained. In such an implementation, a predetermined threshold mayexist and the item identifier may only be added to the tote itemidentifier list when the count of the number of times the itemidentifier has been detected meets or exceeds the predeterminedthreshold.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, each of the totes may also include one ormore connection points 305. The connection points are configured toconnect or couple two or more totes. Connection of totes is discussed infurther detail below with respect to FIGS. 6-7.

FIG. 4 provides yet another block diagram of a tote 402 that may be usedwith the various implementations described herein. In this example, thetote 402 may include two receiving components 404, 406. In oneimplementation, the receiving components may be loop antennas, such asTimes-7 Slimline A8060 antennas. The receiving components 404, 406 maybe coupled to the sides of the tote such that each antenna's radiationpattern defines a plane within the cavity of the tote 402 that issubstantially parallel with the base surface 403 of the tote 402. In oneimplementation, the upper most, or top receiving component 404, may bepositioned at or near the top of the tote 402, and the second receivingcomponent 406 may be positioned at a point separated from the firstreceiving component and below the first receiving component. Forexample, the second receiving component 406 may be positioned around thesides of the tote 402 at a half-way point between the top of the toteand the base surface of the tote. In other implementations, the secondreceiving component 406 may be positioned only a few centimeters fromthe first receiving component 404. The only limitation in positioningthe receiving components 404, 406 is that there is sufficient separationsuch that a time difference may be determined as to when an item passesthrough the receiving components.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, when an item is placed into orremoved from the tote 402, it will pass through each plane of thereceiving components 404, 406, thereby activating the receivingcomponents 404, 406. The receiving components 404, 406 detect the itemidentifier as it passes through the respective planes. When the plane isinterrupted and the item identifier detected, such information may beprovided to the functional components 422 of the tote. In this example,in addition to providing the detected item identifier, a timestamp mayalso be provided identifying a time when the item passed through theplane of the receiving components 404, 406. As discussed further belowwith respect to FIG. 8, based on the timestamps received from eachreceiving component 404, 406, it may be determined whether the detecteditem identifier was added to or removed from the tote 402. For example,if the plane of the top receiving component 404 was interrupted beforethe plane of the lower receiving component 406, it may be determinedthat an item was added to the tote 402. In comparison, if the plane ofthe lower receiving component 406 was interrupted before the plane ofthe top receiving component 404, it may be determined that the item wasremoved from the tote 402.

In some implementations, in addition to or as an alternative to usingthe receiving components to detect the item identifiers, in someimplementations the tote 402 may also include a receiving componentlocated on the base surface of the tote that is utilized by the itemidentifier reader to detect item identifiers, as illustrated in FIG. 5.FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a tote 502 that includes two receivingcomponents 504, 506 positioned around the sides of the tote 502, eachdefining a plane that is substantially parallel with a base surface 503of the tote 502. In addition, the tote 502 includes a receivingcomponent 520 that communicates with an item identifier reader includedin the functional components 522 of the tote 502. As with the otherexamples, the item identifier reader, rather than being separate fromthe receiving components 520, may be included with or include thereceiving component 520.

While the examples discussed above refer to the planes of the receivingcomponents being substantially parallel with the base surface of thetote, in other implementations the planes may not be substantiallyparallel with the base surface of the tote. Generally, the planes may beat any angle with respect to the base surface of the tote and/or eachother. The only constraint is that the planes of the receivingcomponents be positioned such that, when an item identifier is added toor removed from the tote, it will pass through at least two planes.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the addition and removal of itemsmay be detected by activation of the planes of the receiving components504, 506 and the receiving component 520 may be utilized to detect a newitem identifier (when an item is added to the tote) or the removal of anitem identifier (when an item is removed from the tote). In such animplementation, the receiving components 504, 506 may be any componentthat is capable of detecting whether an item identifier has passedthrough its plane and provide information to the functional components522 identifying a timestamp or other identifier that can be used todetermine whether the item identifier passed through the plane of thetop receiving component or the lower receiving component first.

The receiving component 520 may communicate with the item identifierreader and operate in a manner similar to that discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 3A, 3B to detect the addition and/or removal of itemidentifiers from the tote 502. Similarly, like the totes described withrespect to FIGS. 3A, 3B, the sides of the tote 502 may be shieldedand/or multiple receiving components 520 may be positioned within thetote 502. Likewise, additional processes, such as only scanning for itemidentifiers while the tote 502 is in motion or maintaining a countthreshold that must be exceeded before an item is considered added tothe tote 502, may also be utilized. In general, the configurations andexamples described with respect to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5 may becombined and/or used separately with the implementations describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram providing an example of two connected totes.As discussed above, each tote may include one or more connection points605. The connection points 605 may be latches, magnets, clasps, hooks,etc., that are configured to engage with connection points 605 of othertotes. For example, connection points 605A, 605B of tote 602A mayinclude male connectors that are configured to engage with correspondingfemale connectors 605C, 605D of tote 602B when the two totes areconnected, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The connection points 605 may provide physical and/or electricalconnection. For example, in addition to physically connecting two totes,the connection points 605 may provide electrical connectivity betweenthe functional components 622 of the two totes enabling exchange ofdata, sharing and/or combination of processing capabilities, sharedmemory usage, shared power, shared used of sensors, shared connectivity,shared cameras for detecting items, and the like. In someimplementations, when two or more totes are connected, the connectionbetween the connection points 602, 605 may be used to determine theconnection of the totes and allow the totes to exchange information(e.g., unique tote identifiers). Likewise, one of the totes, such astote 602A, may be designated as a master tote such that all processingis performed by that tote. Master tote determination may be randomlydone. For example, regardless of the tote into which an item is placed,the detected item addition is provided to the processing components ofthe master tote 602A. The master tote likewise is responsible forcommunication with the inventory management system 150. In someimplementations, components may be shared between connected totes toimprove item identification and/or functionality of the totes. Forexample, referring briefly to FIG. 7, the carry tote 702B may nottypically include sensors or cameras for detecting the pick and/or placeof items. When connected with the wheeled tote 702A, the sensors and/orcameras of the wheeled tote may be used to detect the pick and/or placeof items into either the wheeled tote 702A or the carry tote 702B

FIG. 7 is another block diagram of a set of connected totes. In thisexample, a wheeled tote 702A is connected with a non-wheeled or carrytote 702B. As with the other examples, when items are placed in eithertote 702A, 702B, they are included on a profile item identifier listthat identifies all items included in all totes currently associatedwith the profile. Likewise, items placed in either tote 702A, 702B maybe added to a single tote item identifier list. In both examplesillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the set of connected totes may be treatedas a single tote while connected. Treating connected totes as a singletote includes a tote item identifier list for the connected totes thatidentifies items included in all physically connected totes. If thetotes are separated, the tote item identifier list may likewise beseparated and separate tote item identifier lists established for eachtote that includes the items contained in the respective tote. In suchan example, the profile item identifier list would continue to maintainthe list of all items associated with the profile.

FIG. 8 illustrates example functional components of a tote 802, such asthose illustrated in FIGS. 3A-7, according to some implementations. Thefunctional components of the tote 802 include one or more processors 803and computer-readable media 804. The computer-readable media 804 mayinclude volatile and nonvolatile memory, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage ofinformation, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, tote item inventor lists, user profiles, or other data.Such memory includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology. The computer-readable media 804 maybe implemented as computer-readable storage media (“CRSM”), which may beany available physical media accessible by the processor(s) 802 toexecute instructions stored on the media 804. In one basicimplementation, CRSM may include random access memory (“RAM”) and Flashmemory. In other implementations, CRSM may include, but is not limitedto, read-only memory (“ROM”), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (“EEPROM”), or any other tangible medium which can beused to store the desired information and which can be accessed by theprocessor(s) 803.

Several modules such as instruction, data stores, and so forth may bestored within the computer-readable media 804 and configured to executeon the processor(s) 803. A few example functional modules are shownstored in the computer-readable media 804, although the samefunctionality may alternatively be implemented in hardware, firmware, oras a system on a chip (SOC).

An operating system module 806 may be configured to manage hardware andservices within and coupled to the tote 802 for the benefit of othermodules. A communication module 810 facilitates communication, such ascellular communication, RF communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetoothcommunication, NFC, satellite-based communication, and so forth. Forexample, the communication module 810 may facilitate communication withthe inventory management system 150 and/or other totes via the network,or over another wired and/or wireless communication path. Likewise, thecommunication module 810 may facilitate communication and detection ofitem identifiers. Other local modules 812 may also be present on thetote 802, depending upon the implementation and configuration of thetote 802.

The tote 802 may also include a plurality of applications 814 stored inthe computer-readable media 804 or otherwise accessible to the tote 802.In this implementation, the applications 814 include an item identifierdiscovery application 816 and other applications 818. However, the tote802 may include any number or type of applications and is not limited tothe specific example shown here. The item identifier discoveryapplication 816 may facilitate item identifier discovery as items areadded to and/or removed from the tote 802. Data stores may also bestored locally on the media 804, including an item identifier list datastore 824 and one or more user profiles 826 of users that haveinteracted with and/or use the tote 802. The item identifier list datastore 824 may include a tote item identifier list identifying items thathave been detected as present within the cavity of the tote 802 and/or acount of a number of times each item identifier 802 has been detected.The item identifier list data store 824 may also maintain a profile itemidentifier list identifying items that have been detected and associatedwith a profile that is also associated with the tote.

The user profile(s) data store 826 may include user characteristics,preferences, pick lists, usage history, purchase history, and otherinformation specific to an individual user.

The tote 802 may also include a display, such as a touch screen display828, as well as other input devices, like a keypad, control buttons,microphones, motion detection components, etc. Output devices 832 mayinclude a display, an illumination element (e.g., LED), a vibrator tocreate haptic sensations, microphone(s) or the like. The tote 802 mightfurther include an item identifier reader 833, such as an RFID readerthat couples to a receiving component 830 to facilitate detection ofitem identifiers. Likewise, the tote 802 might include a wireless unit834 coupled to another antenna to facilitate a wireless connection toone or more networks. The wireless unit 834 may implement one or more ofvarious wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, and so on.

The tote 802 may also include an embedded unique identifier 836. Theunique identifier may be embedded into a memory 804 or otherwise storedand accessible by the tote 802.

The tote 802 may also be equipped with multiple active components 838.Any number of components may be used. Representative components includeimaging elements 840, sensors 842 and other active components 844. Thetote 802 may also include some form of power supply 846, such as abattery, solar power, or other form of power supply for providing powerto the tote 802 and its components during operation.

While the functional components of the example tote 802 are discussedherein as part of the tote 802, in other implementations, one or more ofthe functional components may be distributed throughout the materialshandling facility 100 and/or implemented as part of the inventorymanagement system 150. For example, one or more of the applications,such as the item identifier discovery application 816, may beimplemented as part of the inventory management system 150. In such anexample, when the item identifier reader 833 detects an item identifier,it may be provided directly to the inventory management system 150 andthe inventory management system may discover the item and add the itemidentifier to the tote item identifier list and/or the profile itemidentifier list. Likewise, the tote item identifier list and/or theprofile item identifier list may be maintained in the computer-readablemedia 804 of the tote 802 and/or in the item identifier list data store218 of the inventory management system 150.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an example tote association process900, according to some implementations. The example process 900 may beimplemented with any of the tote configurations discussed above. Theprocess of FIG. 9 and each of the other processes discussed herein maybe implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In thecontext of software, the described operations representcomputer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readablemedia that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recitedoperations. Generally, computer-executable instructions includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the likethat perform particular functions or implement particular abstract datatypes.

The computer-readable media may include non-transitory computer-readablestorage media, which may include hard drives, floppy diskettes, opticaldisks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories(RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards,solid-state memory devices, or other types of storage media suitable forstoring electronic instructions. In addition, in some implementationsthe computer-readable media may include a transitory computer-readablesignal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examples ofcomputer-readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not,include, but are not limited to, signals that a computer system hostingor running a computer program can be configured to access, includingsignals downloaded through the Internet or other networks. Finally, theorder in which the operations are described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described operationscan be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement theprocess.

The example process 900 begins by detecting a selection of one or moretotes, as in 902. For example, if a user selects a tote(s) from a totestorage area, selects an unused tote etc., the tote selection isdetected. For example, one or more images of a user selecting totes maybe captured and processed to identify the user and the selected tote(s).In another implementation, totes may be issued to a user from a totestorage area and/or removed by the user from the storage area. As thetote(s) is exiting the storage area, the unique identifier of thetote(s) is detected.

A determination is also made as to whether there are multiple associatedusers that have selected the one or more totes, as in 904. Users may beassociated by the users identifying themselves as associated and/or bythe inventory management system associating the users. For example, theinventory management system may associate two users for picking of anorder for a large number of items that are to be consolidated orotherwise treated together.

If there are multiple associated users, a primary profile is selected orestablished, as in 906. For example, one of the users may be identifiedas a primary user and the user profile for that user may be determinedto be the primary profile. In other implementations, the users mayidentify a primary profile. In still other implementations, theinventory management system may randomly select a primary profile.

Upon selection of a primary profile or if there is only one user (thatuser's profile is by default considered the primary profile), totesselected by a user are determined, as in 908. As discussed above,multiple totes may be selected by one or many associated users. Forexample, as a user removes totes from the tote storage area, it may bedetermined that the user is selecting multiple totes. Likewise, if theuser couples two or more totes together, it may be determined that theuser has selected multiple totes. Each tote selected by a user isassociated with that user, as in 910. Likewise, if the totes are coupledtogether, the totes are associated with each other and are effectivelytreated as a single tote. In some instances, a user may not select anytotes. For example, if there are two associated users, they may onlyselect a single tote. In such an example, both users are associated withthe same primary profile and the same tote.

A determination is then made as to whether there are additionalassociated users, as in 912. If there are additional associated users,the example process 900 returns to block 908 and continues. However, ifthere are no additional users, the determined totes are associated withthe primary profile, as in 914. In addition to associating the toteswith the primary profile, a profile item identifier list is establishedalong with one or more tote item identifier lists, as in 916. Asdiscussed above, the profile item identifier list is configured toidentify all items included in any of the determined totes associatedwith the primary profile. The tote item identifier list is configured toidentify all items of a particular tote or group of connected totes. Forexample, if a first user coupled two totes, the tote item identifierlist would identify items included in either of the coupled totes. Incomparison, if a second user only selected one tote, the tote itemidentifier list will identify items for that one selected tote.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a process for adding item identifiers toitem identifier lists and/or removing item identifiers from itemidentifier lists, according to some implementations. The example process1000 begins by detecting an item place of an item into a tote or an itempick removing an item from a tote, as in 1002. As discussed above, anitem pick from a tote and/or an item place into a tote can be detectedusing, for example, RFID scanners, load cells, image capture devices,etc. Upon detecting an item place/pick from a tote, a profile associatedwith the tote is determined, as in 1004. For example, the uniqueidentifier of the tote may be detected or reported with an itemplace/pick notification. For example, if a tote detects an item placeinto the tote, the tote may provide an item place notification to theinventory management system. The item place notification may include anitem identifier representative of the detected placed item, a quantityof the items placed, a unique identifier of the tote, etc.

The profile item identifier list for the determined profile is thenupdated to identify the placed item and/or remove the item identifiercorresponding to the removed item, as in 1006. For example, if an itempick from a tote is determined, the item identifier representative ofthe picked item is removed from the profile item identifier list.Similarly, if an item place into a tote is determined, an itemidentifier representative of the placed item is added to the profileitem identifier list.

Updating the profile item identifier list may also include sending theprofile item identifier list for presentation to the user(s) associatedwith the profile. For example, the profile item identifier list may besent to a display of each tote associated with the profile.Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the profile item identifier listmay be sent to a user's device, such as a tablet, phone, laptop, etc.,and/or sent to an output device (e.g., display, projector) locatedwithin the materials handling facility.

A determination is also made as to whether there are multiple totesassociated with the determined profile, as in 1008. If it is determinedthat there are multiple totes associated with the profile, adetermination is made as to whether the tote from which the itemplace/pick was detected is coupled with one or more other totes, as in1010. As discussed above, a tote item identifier list is maintained foreach tote or each group of coupled totes.

If it is determined that the tote is not connected with any other totes,or if there are not multiple totes, the tote item identifier listassociated with the tote is updated, as in 1012. Similar to updating theprofile item identifier list, if an item is placed into the tote, thetote item identifier list is updated to include an item identifierrepresentative of the item added to the tote. If an item is picked fromthe tote, the tote item identifier list is updated to remove thecorresponding item identifier from the tote item identifier list.Likewise, the tote item identifier list may be sent for display to theuser associated with the tote. For example, the tote item identifierlist may be sent for display on a display coupled to the tote, sent to auser device and/or sent to an output device located within the materialshandling facility.

If it is determined that the tote is connected with one or more othertotes, the tote item identifier list for the connected group of totes isupdated, as in 1014. As discussed above, a single tote item identifierlist is maintained for connected totes so that the connected totes areeffectively treated as a single tote while they are connected. In suchan example, the tote item identifier list may be sent for display toonly a display of a master tote or to all displays of connected totes.Similarly, the tote item identifier list may be sent to a user device ofthe user associated with the tote and/or an output device located withinthe materials handling facility.

After updating the tote item identifier list for a single tote or afterupdating the tote item identifier list for a group of connected totes,the example process 1000 completes, as in 1016.

Providing the profile item identifier list to all totes and usersassociated with the profile and providing tote item identifier lists foreach tote (or group of coupled totes) and corresponding user(s) allowsusers to see both, all items picked as part of the profile as well asitems picked and located in that user's tote or group of coupled totes.Providing a profile item identifier list to all users reduces thelikelihood that multiple users will pick the same item as they can seewhether another associated user has already picked the item.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram of an illustrative implementation of aserver system, such as the server system 102, that may be used in theimplementations described herein. The server system 102 may include aprocessor 1100, such as one or more redundant processors, a videodisplay adapter 1102, a disk drive 1104, an input/output interface 1106,a network interface 1108, and a memory 1112. The processor 1100, thevideo display adapter 1102, the disk drive 1104, the input/outputinterface 1106, the network interface 1108, and the memory 1112 may becommunicatively coupled to each other by a communication bus 1110.

The video display adapter 1102 provides display signals to a localdisplay (not shown in FIG. 11) permitting an operator of the serversystem 102 to monitor and configure operation of the server system. Theinput/output interface 1106 likewise communicates with externalinput/output devices not shown in FIG. 11, such as a mouse, keyboard,scanner, or other input and output devices that can be operated by anoperator of the server system 102. The network interface 1108 includeshardware, software, or any combination thereof, to communicate withother computing devices. For example, the network interface 1108 may beconfigured to provide communications between the server system 102 andother computing devices, such as totes, via a network.

The memory 1112 generally comprises random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or other volatile or permanentmemory. The memory 1112 is shown storing an operating system 1114 forcontrolling the operation of the server system 102. A binaryinput/output system (BIOS) 1116 for controlling the low-level operationof the server system 102 is also stored in the memory 1112.

The memory 1112 additionally stores program code and data for providingnetwork services to totes and/or the inventory management system 150.Accordingly, the memory 1112 may store a browser application 1118. Thebrowser application 1118 comprises computer executable instructions,that, when executed by the processor 1100, generate or otherwise obtainconfigurable markup documents such as Web pages. The browser application1118 communicates with a data store manager application 1120 tofacilitate data exchange between the inventory data store 214, the userprofile data store 216, and/or the item identifier list data store 218.

As used herein, the term “data store” refers to any device orcombination of devices capable of storing, accessing and retrievingdata, which may include any combination and number of data servers,databases, data storage devices and data storage media, in any standard,distributed or clustered environment. The server system 102 can includeany appropriate hardware and software for integrating with the datastores 214-218 as needed to execute aspects of one or more applicationsfor the tote 202, and/or the inventory management system 150.

The data stores 214-218 can include several separate data tables,databases or other data storage mechanisms and media for storing datarelating to a particular aspect. For example, the data stores 214-218illustrated include mechanisms for inventory information, userinformation, tote item identifier lists, tote information, etc., whichcan be used to generate and deliver information to totes 202, theinventory management system 150 and/or users.

It should be understood that there can be many other aspects that may bestored in the data stores 214-218. The data stores 214-218 are operable,through logic associated therewith, to receive instructions from theserver system 102 and obtain, update or otherwise process data inresponse thereto.

In addition to maintaining information about inventory, users, andtotes, the inventory management system 150 may provide use informationback to the users. For example, the inventory management system 150,through communication between the server system 102 and a tote, mayprovide use information back to a user. Such information may include alist of the items included in the tote, the cost of items included inthe tote, items remaining to be picked before the tote is to progress tothe transition area, the location within the materials handling facilityof items to be picked, and the like.

The memory 1112 may also include the inventory management system 150,discussed above. The inventory management system 150 may be executableby the processor 1100 to implement one or more of the functions of theserver system 102. In one implementation, the inventory managementsystem 150 may represent instructions embodied in one or more softwareprograms stored in the memory 1112. In another implementation, theinventory management system 150 can represent hardware, softwareinstructions, or a combination thereof.

The server system 102, in one implementation, is a distributedenvironment utilizing several computer systems and components that areinterconnected via communication links, using one or more computernetworks or direct connections. However, it will be appreciated by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that such a system could operate equallywell in a system having fewer or a greater number of components than areillustrated in FIG. 11. Thus, the depiction in FIG. 11 should be takenas being illustrative in nature and not limiting to the scope of thedisclosure.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, determining a first user positioned within a materials handling facility; determining a second user positioned within the materials handling facility; determining a selection of a first tote by at least one of the first user or the second user; determining a selection of a second tote by at least one of the first user or the second user; associating the first tote, the second tote, the first user, and the second user with a profile that includes a profile item identifier list that indicates items placed into the first tote or the second tote; determining an item place of a first item into the first tote, wherein the first item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to determining the item place of the first item into the first tote; in response to determining the item place of the first item into the first tote, updating the profile item identifier list associated with the profile to include a first item identifier representative of the first item; determining an item place of a second item into the second tote, wherein the second item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to determining the item place of the second item into the second tote; and in response to determining the item place of the second item into the second tote: updating the profile item identifier list associated with the profile to include a second item identifier representative of the second item; and sending for display to at least one of the first tote or the second tote, the profile item identifier list.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein selection of the first tote is determined based at least in part on one or more of an image that includes a representation of at least one of the first user or the second user selecting the first tote, the first tote being issued to at least one of the first user or the second user, the first tote being removed from a tote storage area, or a unique identifier associated with the first tote.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first tote and the second tote are physically coupled together.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: updating a first tote item identifier list associated with the first tote to include the first item identifier representative of the first item; and sending for display to the first tote, the first tote item identifier list, wherein the display of the first tote item identifier list identifies items included in the first tote but does not identify items included in the second tote.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a profile of the first user; and associating the first tote, the second tote, and the second user with the profile of the first user.
 6. A computing system, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least: determine a first user positioned within a materials handling facility; determine a second user positioned within the materials handling facility; associate a first tote, a second tote, the first user, and the second user with a profile item identifier list; detect an item place of a first item into the first tote, wherein the first item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to detection of the item place of the first item into the first tote; and in response to detection of the item place of the first item into the first tote: update the profile item identifier list to include a first item identifier representative of the first item; and send for display to at least one of the first tote or the second tote, the profile item identifier list.
 7. The computing system of claim 6, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: associate the first tote the first user; and associate the second tote with the second user.
 8. The computing system of claim 6, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: detect an item place of a second item into the second tote, wherein the second item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to detection of the item place of the second item into the second tote; in response to detection of the item place of the second item into the second tote, update the profile item identifier list to include a second item identifier representative of the second item; and send for display to at least one of the first tote or the second tote, the profile item identifier list.
 9. The computing system of claim 7, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: update a second tote item identifier list to include the second item identifier representative of the second item, wherein the second tote item identifier list indicates items placed into the second tote but does not indicate items placed into the first tote; and send for display to the second tote, the second tote item identifier list.
 10. The computing system of claim 6, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: update a first tote item identifier list to include the first item identifier representative of the first item, wherein the first tote item identifier list indicates items placed into the first tote but does not indicate items placed into the second tote; and send for display, the first tote item identifier list.
 11. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: associate a third tote with the profile item identifier list; determine that the third tote is connected to the first tote based at least in part on a physical connection or an electrical connection between the first tote and the third tote at a connection point; detect an item place of a second item into the third tote, wherein the second item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to detection of the item place of the second item into the third tote; and in response to detection of the item place of the second item into the third tote: update the profile item identifier list to include a second item identifier representative of the second item; update the first tote item identifier list to include the second item identifier; and send for display, the first tote item identifier list.
 12. A computing system, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least: determine a first user positioned within a materials handling facility; determine a second user positioned within the materials handling facility; associate a first tote with a profile item identifier list; associate the first tote with a first user; associate a second tote with the profile item identifier list; associate the second tote with a second user; associate the first user and the second user with the profile item identifier list receive from the first tote, a first item identifier representative of a first item located in the first tote, wherein the first item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to receipt from the first tote of the first item identifier representative of the first item located in the first tote; in response to receipt from the first tote of the first item identifier representative of the first item located in the first tote, update the profile item identifier list to include the first item identifier; receive from the second tote, a second item identifier representative of a second item located in the second tote, wherein the second item is not identified on the profile item identifier list prior to receipt from the second tote of the second item identifier representative of the second item located in the second tote; and in response to receipt from the second tote of the second item identifier representative of the second item located in the second tote: update the profile item identifier list to include the second item identifier; and send for display, the profile item identifier list.
 13. The computing system of claim 12, wherein the second item is located in the second tote prior to the second tote being associated with the profile item identifier list.
 14. The computing system of claim 12, wherein the first item is located in the first tote prior to the second tote being associated with the profile item identifier list.
 15. The computing system of claim 12, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: send for display on a device, the profile item identifier list, wherein the device is at least one of: a device associated with a user, a portable device, a first display coupled to the first tote, a second display coupled to the second tote, or an output device located within a materials handling facility.
 16. The computing system of claim 12, wherein the program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to at least: receive from the first tote, the first item identifier and a pick notification identifying that the first item identifier has been picked from the first tote; update the profile item identifier list to remove the first item identifier from the profile item identifier list; and send for display, the updated profile item identifier list.
 17. The computing system of claim 12, wherein: items picked by the first user are identified in the profile item identifier list; and items picked by the second user are identified in the profile item identifier list. 